Chris Johnston is a full-time visual designer with twenty years of experience in the world of pageantry arts. He graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and is an alumni member of the APSU chapter of Phi Mu Alpha (Theta Tau ’05). Chris is married to his partner, Julie, and they reside in Clarksville, TN, with their two children, Rohan and Theo.
Chris performed with the Memphis Sound Drum & Bugle Corps as a trumpet soloist in 2005. He then joined the Phantom Regiment (Rockford, IL) in 2006 and performed through the corps' 2008 World Championship season, as a soloist and section leader. From 2012–2016, Chris had the distinct honor of performing as a soloist and lead trumpet player for the 13-time defending DCA Mini Corps Champions, Star United Drum & Bugle Corps (Indianapolis, IN).
Chris maintains an active schedule as an adjudicator, designer, and clinician throughout the Southeastern United States. He serves as program coordinator for CYPAA (Clarksville Youth Performing Arts Association) and as a designer for the organization’s performance ensembles, Audio Theater (WGI-PIW) and Visual Theater (WGI-IA). Chris has served in a variety of instructional and design roles with drum corps such as: The Academy, Memphis Sound, Music City, Music City Legend, Colts, Arsenal, The Cadets, Spirit of Atlanta, and Crossmen.
